Parsippany Family Seeks Care Package Donations for Philippines

Super typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines, claimed thousands of lives and left millions displaced. Three Parsippany brothers were moved by the catastrophe and were inspired to give back. They have family in the Philippines, but all their relatives are safe and only suffered structural damage to their homes. 

The Paraan brothers, Jeremy, Dominic and Nicholas had the idea of holding a donation drive to collect clothing, food, supplies and more to ship over to the Philippines and as active, longtime parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Church, the teamed up with the church to host the donation drive this Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Check below for a list of items they’re looking for.

Their mother, Catherine Paraan, said “It was the boys’ idea. They had a great idea ... it came to them naturally” because the family also actively volunteers and gives back in other parts of the community. 

She added that she found out that a shipping company, RDR Cargo Express, is offering to ship donations for free to the Philippines. “Now that the roads have opened, some companies have been given permission to go to the Philippines and one of those companies is RDR Cargo.”

RDR Cargo Express will help ship all donations to the Philippines for free until Nov. 30, according to ABC news.

“St. Peter the Apostle Church generously donated their facility to use as a drop off site,” said Catherine Paraan. “We’re going to take all donations and bring it to RDR Cargo, we’ll package them, label them and work with them to get it shipped.”

“We’re Blessed in so many ways,” said Catherine Paraan, and her youngest Nicholas, chimed in, “Especially during thanksgiving.”

“We’re Philippinos ourselves. We felt really bad that it happened and felt that we should give back this season,” said Nicholas Paraan.

Catherine Paraan added that they showed their sons photos of the devastation and in some of them, there were children were running around barefoot who were sent out to get food, help or water because their parents were either injured or sick.

“I told them that these kids are your age and they’re over there with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” she said.

Here’s a look at what they’re looking to be donated this Saturday:

• New or gently used adult/children summer clothing (t-shirts, shorts, underwear, sandals, flip flops, etc)
• Blankets, towels, toiletries, paper products
• Canned food

Package your donations in plastic bags and no monetary donations will be accepted.

For more information, contact Catherine Paraan at cparaan@optonline.net